CHALLENGE: The Mail's Mark Thompson is taking part in a coast-to-coast canoe challenge

A JOURNALIST is swapping his pad for a paddle as he joins friends in a coast-to-coast canoe challenge for charity.

The Hartlepool Mail’s Mark Thompson will be part of a group of 13 men paddling across Scotland in September in memory of Jamie Blagg, 19, who died from a stomach infection just days after being told his leukaemia was in remission.

Mark Thompson is taking part in a coast-to-coast canoe challenge for the RAF Association

His friends and family have held a series of fundraising events since his tragic death in June 2005 and are now set for their biggest charity challenge yet. They will head 60 miles across the Caledonian Canal in two-man canoes in the space of just four days.

They will be raising money for the RAF Association (RAFA) as Jamie, from Longlands, Middlesbrough, was training at RAF Brize Norton when he fell ill.

Mark, 30, who lives in Bishop Cuthbert, said: “I haven’t met anyone who has canoed across Scotland so we’re preparing as much as we can. We’re now looking for sponsors to help us make this a big success.”

If you can help the team, email Mark at mark.des.thompson@gmail.com and to donate CLICK HERE